Homosalate

Cosmetics and personal care products containing UV filters are used worldwide to protect skin from UV rays, which is one of the factors that cause skin cancer and skin aging, and to maintain skin health. Homosalate is used in cosmetics as a UV absorber to protect the skin from UV rays and as a stabilizer to prevent deterioration of product quality due to UV exposure. In our products, it is used in sunscreens, skin care products, and so on.

There are concerns about the endocrine disruption effect of homosalate. However, in 2021, the Scientific Committee on Consumer Safety (SCCS) of the European Commission conducted a safety assessment of the use of homosalate in cosmetics and proposed a range of concentrations within which homosalate can be used safely.
There are also concerns that it may cause bleaching and other problems of corals in the ocean, and regulations banning sunscreens containing homosalate have been adopted in Palau, Marshall Islands, and some other areas. On the other hand, it is thought that the main causes of coral growth inhibition and bleaching are ocean warming and acidification caused by climate change. Research and discussions on the impact on coral reefs are still ongoing.

Kao complies with the laws and regulations of all countries and regions in which we operate. Additionally, we conduct rigorous safety assessments and perform a wide range of product-use tests based on the Kao Safety Standards^* , so that you can use our products safely. Through these measures, we use an appropriate amount of homosalate in our products. We continuously explore new scientific findings relevant to the ingredients we use and review the safety of our in-market products. We are committed to continuing to develop our products for a better customer experience and increased product safety.